Development of 17 microsatellite markers in the federally endangered species Liatris helleri (Asteraceae).

PREMISE: Microsatellite markers were developed in the federally endangered species Liatris helleri (Asteraceae) to evaluate species boundaries with closely related congeners within the genus. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using Illumina data, 17 primer pairs were developed in populations of L. helleri. The primers amplified motifs from tri- to hexanucleotide repeats with one to 17 alleles per locus. Primers were also tested for cross-amplification in L. aspera, L. microcephala, and L. pycnostachya. CONCLUSIONS: The developed primers for L. helleri serve as a novel genetic tool for future investigations in this genus, allowing for more explicit species delineation as well as population genetic analyses.